The Storm, Dust storm of 2007 Options

[OWW]

Oh no...This is getting bad:

The new and potentially bleak outlook is a stark shift from the prognosis earlier this week.

The dusty squall has reduced direct sunlight to Mars' surface by nearly 99 percent, an unprecedented threat for the solar-powered robotic explorers. If the storm keeps up and thickens with even more dust, officials fear the rovers' batteries may empty and silence the robotic explorers forever.

Opportunity's energy-gathering ability has been slashed to a dangerous 280 watt-hours-enough power to light only three 90-watt light bulbs.

"The worst-case scenario is that enough dust in the sky decreases solar energy to the point that we have to shut down too many things to save power," Lemmon said. "The rovers keep their battery alive by keeping their electronics alive."

"The reality of the situation is that we're limited as to what we can do from the ground by cutting power use," Callas said. "If it continues to worsen and stay that way, it's a survivability issue for Opportunity. If Mars wants to kill the rovers, it can."

http://www.space.com/news/070705_dusty_rovers.html

[Tom Tamlyn]

During Monday's Phoenix Mission press conference, Doug McCuistion, NASA's Mars Exploration Program manager, gave a brief but upbeat report on Opportunity's ability to survive the storm. I thought I also heard him say that Opportunity could function at a power level of about 100 watts. (It appeared later on that at least one reporter interpreted the 100 watts comment as referring to Phoenix, but I recall it as relating to the rovers).

That's a lot lower than the approximately 270-80 watt figure that's been discussed here as the rover's survival threshold. I assume that a good deal of the difference is represented by the fact that less power (no power?) is needed for keeping the electronics warm during the summer season.

Aside from heating, does anyone know what functions require power (and how much) for minimum survival? Does the rover draw no power at all during Deep Sleep?

TTT

Edit to fix typo.

[centsworth_II]

I thought I also heard him say that Opportunity could function at a power level of about 100 watts.

He did say that. But it's more like "stay alive" than "function".
I think the only thing Opportunity would be doing at that power
level would be recharging. I don't know about heating. Has
deep sleep been used during the day? I envision it as a
deep sleep/recharge situation.